Roanoke, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Healing Arts Program: Dr.Robert L.A.Keeley

Photographed by Bernard Fisher

1. Healing Arts Program: Dr.Robert L.A.Keeley Marker

Inscription.
The City of Roanoke and Carilion Clinic welcome you to the Dr. Robert L. A. Keeley Healing Garden at the Roanoke River Greenway

Providing the best patient care involves treating more than physical symptoms. The Dr. Robert L.A. Keeley Healing Arts Program at Carilion Clinic addresses the emotional as well as the physical needs of patients and families. It integrates literary, performing, and visual art experiences into the healing process, providing an inspirational, supportive and restorative environment for patients, visitors and caregivers.

More than 2,500 hospitals and healthcare organizations in the United States use arts programming to improve the healing environment and support patients' mental and emotional recovery.

According to research, these programs can:
+ Shorten post-operative recovery and hospital stays
+ Raise pain thresholds and reduce need for pain medications
+ Improve mood
+ Lower blood pressure and heart rate
+ Reduce stress and anxiety
+ Enhance sleep patterns, alertness, and growth in newborns

What is a healing garden?
Healing gardens are designed to foster a sense of relaxation

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or invigoration depending upon the needs of the user. This is achieved through the use of all the senses. Sweet essences such as mimosa or chamomile produce alpha, theta, and delta brainwave patterns, indicating a state of relaxation or even sleep. Other fragrances such as rosemary induce beta brainwaves, more rapid patterns that denote a state of alertness. Oils such as lavender and geranium have a balancing effect and invigorate or sedate according to the needs of the individual.

What makes this healing garden special?
Dr. Robert L. A. Keeley

I believe that we each have a responsibility to serve, we must work together as part of a larger community and care for one another. ~Dr. Robert L. A. Keeley

Outstanding service to patients and physician leadership have been the hallmarks of Dr. Robert L. A. Keeley's career. A board-certified thoracic surgeon and a founder of Jefferson Surgical Clinic in 1956, Dr. Keeley attended Roanoke College and the University of Virginia. Following his graduation in 1944 from the University of Virginia Medical School, Dr. Keeley completed his internship at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Va.,

Roanoke River Greenway image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 3, 2026

2. Roanoke River Greenway

and his residency at the Duke University Medical School. As a member of the United States Navy, he served in World War II and Korea. Well known for his service to his family, community, and profession, Dr. Keeley has been named Father of the Year by the Roanoke Merchants Association and Medical Alumnus of the Year by the University of Virginia. He is the recipient of the Medical Society of Virginia's Community Service Award and Roanoke College's Medal of Honor. Two principles define his work: Treat each patient as if the patient is your mother; and when you are called upon, just ask where you need to be and go there.

Project Partners
Carilion Clinic
Your support of the Dr. Robert L.A. Keeley Healing Arts program will help ensure the continued growth and expansion of the visual, performing, and literary arts programs available to patients and their families at Carilion Clinic. To make a gift, visit CarilionClinic.org/giving.

Erected by Roanoke Parks and Recreation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Science & Medicine • War, Korean • War, World II.

Location. 37° 15.144′ N,

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79° 56.551′ W. Marker is in Roanoke, Virginia. It can be reached from the intersection of Hamilton Terrace Southeast and Belleview Ave SE, on the left when traveling east. Located along the Roanoke River Greenway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1801 Hamilton Terrace SE, Roanoke VA 24014, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Mountain Region

and in Southwest Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Great Roanoke Fair & Mountain Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); History of Evan Mill and Crystal Spring (approx. ¼ mile away); Big Lick Presbyterian Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Arthur Taubman (approx. 0.3 miles away); Welcome to Mill Mountain Wildflower Garden (approx. 0.4 miles away); American Fringe (approx. 0.4 miles away); American Basswood (approx. 0.4 miles away); American Chestnut: Tree of Hope (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Roanoke.

Also see . . . Give to Carilion Clinic Foundation. (Submitted on November 5, 2026.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2026, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 5, 2026, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.